Friday links

April 28th is Duke Ellington's birthday.

The Literal Meaning of Every Country's Name on a Map (zoomable).

Inside the Strange World of Dried Hummingbird Love Charm Trafficking.

Because it's time to get the herb gardens planted, here's some advice from the 16th century on avoiding brain scorpions: Take heede therefore ye smellers of Basil.

Here's a clickable map of every street tree in New York City.

Teddy Roosevelt's Epic Hunt for a White Rhino.

ICYMI, Wednesday's links are here, and include how to download a copy of everything Google knows about you, ANZAC Day (the anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli), the 19th century art of measuring criminals, and, for Oliver Cromwell's birthday, his excellent (and evergreen) speech throwing out the corrupt Parliament (plus the posthumous adventures of his head). 

Monday links

New Guinness World Record-setting Rube Goldberg machine takes 412 steps to light a Christmas tree.

When Mother Teresa Met With New York's Mayor to Lobby for a Parking Permit.

Who Inspired Elvis Presley's Haircut?

Before Seinfeld: The Origins of Festivus.

Chimps Remember Butts Same as Faces.

How Teddy Roosevelt Changed Football.

ICYMI, Friday's links are here, and include (without limitation) lots of really bad nativity sets, the history of the chicken dance, Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day, and how McDonald's got started.

Friday links

April 22 is Earth Day: here's the co-founder who killed then composted his girlfriend.

The Origins of 12 Horse-Related Sayings.

Could a bird deliver a standard 20" New York-style cheese pizza in a box? And if so, what kind of bird would it take?

Construction workers from competing companies get into bulldozer fight in the street.

Lenin is About to Turn 146, but He Still Looks 53 - and Russia will spend $200K this year to keep it that way.

Teddy Roosevelt's Epic Hunt for a White Rhino.

ICYMI, Monday's links are here, and include the eighteenth of April in seventy-five (the midnight ride of William Dawes, Samuel Prescott, and Paul Revere), opening a hotel safe with a magnet and a sock, ice cream truck history, and the anniversary of the earthquake and fire that destroyed 80% of San Francisco (including video of a trip down Market Street, before and after the earthquake).